Stocky viper up to 1.4 m. Tan with dark chevron pattern. Causes more snakebite deaths than any other African snake — its lethargy means people step on it.

Cytotoxic venom causes massive tissue damage, often requires amputation. Without antivenom mortality 15-20%. Doesn't flee — relies on camouflage.

Almost all of Africa except Sahara, rainforests, and desert tops. Most widespread venomous snake in Africa.

Sluggish ambush hunter. Hisses ('puffs') as warning. Strikes with unusually fast lateral motion. Active at night in hot regions.

Up to 6 m and 1,000 kg. Second-largest crocodile after the saltwater. Kills more humans than any other crocodile — ~750 per year.

Ambushes people drawing water, washing clothes, swimming. Death roll drowns prey. Active near villages along the Nile and Zambezi basins.

Rivers, lakes, swamps across sub-Saharan Africa — Egypt (south), Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, DRC, all Nile basin.

Mostly nocturnal hunter. Spends day basking. Can sprint 22 km/h short bursts. Females defend nests fiercely.

5-9 mm mosquito. Most efficient malaria vector in the world. Africa carries 96% of global malaria burden — ~580,000 deaths per year, mostly children under 5.

Malaria has killed more humans than any other disease in history. WHO estimates 263 million cases per year. P. falciparum (most lethal strain) kills children within days without treatment.

Sub-Saharan Africa universally. Breeds in any standing water — puddles, rice paddies, hoof prints.

Bites at night (peak 22:00 - 04:00). Prefers humans over animals (unusual). One female bites 2-3 times per cycle, transferring parasites between hosts.

Africa carries about 36% of global rabies burden — 21,476 deaths per year, almost all transmitted by dog bites. Most victims are children under 15.

Once rabies symptoms appear, mortality is near 100%. Post-exposure vaccination works only before symptoms. Stray dogs are main reservoir. Major problem in DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania.

Across all of Africa. Highest rabies burden: DRC, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya. Eradicated in: South Africa (urban), Egypt (mostly).

Stray and unvaccinated dogs are main reservoir. Children most vulnerable due to height and inability to defend themselves.

Small (30-60 cm) but deadly viper with serrated scales. Causes the most snakebite deaths in West Africa — more than any other species in the region.

Hemotoxin causes uncontrolled bleeding, kidney failure. Responsible for thousands of deaths annually in the Sahel. Highly aggressive — rubs scales together producing a sizzling warning.

Dry savannas and scrubland of West Africa — Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ghana, Chad, Cameroon, Benin.

Nocturnal. Hides by day in cracks and under debris. Common in farmland — most bites occur during harvest. Strikes with extreme speed.

Stocky, aggressive shark up to 3.5 m. Uniquely tolerant of fresh water — found in the Zambezi 200 km inland, in Lake Nicaragua.

Top contender for most dangerous shark to humans. Hunts in shallow, murky water where people swim. Many attacks attributed to great whites are actually bull sharks.

Coasts and rivers — South Africa (Indian Ocean), Mozambique (Zambezi), Egypt (Red Sea), Senegal, Ghana coast.

Aggressive and territorial. Tolerates salinity from 0 to 53 ppt. Attacks unprovoked more than other sharks.

Up to 6 m — Africa's largest snake. Non-venomous constrictor. Powerful enough to kill and swallow antelope, and rarely, humans.

Kills by constriction — suffocates prey. Documented fatal attacks on humans, including children. Bite from backward-curving teeth causes deep wounds even without constriction.

Savannas, forests, near water across sub-Saharan Africa — from Senegal to Ethiopia, south to South Africa.

Ambush predator. Often near human settlements hunting rats and poultry. Females guard eggs. Can go months between meals after a large kill.

Up to 2.4 m — Africa's largest lizard. Olive-grey with yellow markings. Excellent swimmer and climber found near water across the continent.

Sharp teeth and claws, powerful tail whip. Bite causes lacerations and infection risk from bacteria-laden mouth. Not venomous but defends itself fiercely.

Rivers, lakes, swamps across sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile — Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, DRC, and most of the continent.

Diurnal. Raids crocodile nests for eggs. Climbs trees, swims well. Flees to water when threatened but will bite hard if cornered.